Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has called on the Kerala government to uncover the truth behind the tragic death of a 15-year-old Class IX student who took his own life on January 15.
In view of the incident, she has said that strict laws should be introduced to prevent ragging.
She urged school authorities to take responsibility and refrain from covering up the events leading to the boy’s death.
“The school authorities should have the courage to acknowledge the reality of this crime, accept responsibility, and not attempt to cover it up. It is their duty, and the duty of the state government, to do all they can to provide justice,” Priyanka wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Also read: Kerala MPs seek action against Gopi, Kurian for remarks
The teenager jumped from the 26th-floor flat where his family lived in Kochi’s Thripunithara, just an hour after returning home from school. His family alleges that he had endured persistent bullying and ragging, which pushed him to the brink.
His mother has sought an official inquiry, writing to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office, the state director general of police, and the child welfare commission. She has also accused the vice principal of his former school, which he attended until October 2024, of playing a significant role in the deterioration of his mental health, leading to his tragic demise.
In her letter, the mother described several incidents where her son was allegedly mistreated. She recounted how he was publicly humiliated during a meeting with the vice principal, suspended for a week, forced to take exams in isolation, and removed from the basketball team. She said she was piecing together events that could explain why her son decided to end his life.
The family claims the boy was subjected to relentless bullying, including verbal abuse over his skin colour and physical assault, which persisted until his last day at school.
“He was forcibly taken to the washroom, made to lick a toilet seat, and had his head pushed into the toilet while it was flushed. These acts of cruelty broke him in ways we cannot fathom,” the mother wrote.
She further alleged that the school pressured students who had launched an Instagram page seeking justice for her son to delete the account.
Priyanka, a first-time MP and mother of two, said the mother’s letter was deeply distressing.
“As mothers, all we wish for is the safety and happiness of our children. I cannot even imagine the pain and anger she must feel to know that her child was tortured and hounded in the way she has described. Her fight for justice is an act of bravery and fortitude,” she wrote.
“How can we allow children to be subjected to this kind of cruelty and criminality and do nothing? It’s about time strict laws were introduced to prevent ragging and protect young people who deserve safety and support as they build their futures.”
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with demands growing for a thorough investigation and stronger measures against bullying in schools.
Follow us
